Giraffe in Decline: Facing a Vulnerable Future Table of Contents
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Giraffe in Decline: Facing a Vulnerable Future Table of Contents I Introduction . I Press Release . I Talking Points: Time is running out for giraffe . I Your Biggest Questions: About the world’s tallest animal . I Threats to Giraffe . I The Giraffe Family Tree . I Julian & Steph: Giraffe Conservation Foundation . I Operation Twiga: Saving the Endangered Rothchild’s giraffe . I Redefining Giraffe Species . I How You Can Help . I Additional Resources . Introduction One of Africa’s most iconic species has quietly been slipping toward extinction. The Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) is the only NGO in the world that concentrates solely on the conservation and management of giraffe in the wild throughout Africa. Together with partners they have dedicated more than 20 years to better understanding and monitoring giraffe, and importantly undertaking pioneering genetic evidence. The results are profound. Giraffe populations have declined by almost 40% in thirty years with less than 100,000 individuals remaining in the wild. From their base in Windhoek, Namibia, GCF is on the front lines of this silent extinction. Founders Dr. Julian & Steph Fennessy, and their team of conservation and education specialists, work closely with African range states, local communities, international partners, and the IUCN Giraffe & Okapi Specialist Group to provide comprehensive awareness and to develop innovative mitigation strategies for the sustainable future of giraffe in the wild. There is still time to save the giraffe. How can YOU help? Mission: GCF is dedicated to a sustainable future for all giraffe populations in the wild. Press Release [With link to official IUCN report] Talking Points TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR GIRAFFE • Giraffe are already extinct in seven countries in Africa. • Their numbers continue to plummet, decreasing by more than 50,000 in just three decades. • In response to this growing crisis the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is sounding the alarm on this silent extinction. They are raising the giraffe’s conservation status from ‘Least Concern’ to ‘Vulnerable’ as giraffe face “a high risk of extinction in the wild.” • The remaining population continues to suffer from habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching, and civil unrest, all a result of human population growth. But there is hope. • Conservation groups like the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) are working around the clock to save this beloved species – but they cannot do it alone. • Will YOU take a moment to help save giraffe? • Spread the word about this growing crisis - get your company involved, your school, your friends - let them know how they can help save giraffe • Share this infographic on social media • Visit your local zoo and ask them to support giraffe research in the wild • Adopt a giraffe through GCF • Follow GCF on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date on cutting edge conservation stories • Learn more at giraffeconservation.org • And importantly – DONATE directly to help save giraffe before it is too late! IUCN Stands Up for Giraffe The IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental organisation, with almost 1,300 government and NGO members, and more than 15,000 volunteer experts in 185 countries. It helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environmental and development challenges. They focus on valuing and conserving nature, ensuring effective and equitable governance of its use, and deploying nature-based solutions to global challenges in climate, food, and development. In December 2016, the IUCN uplisted the conservation status of giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) from Least Concern to Vulnerable. Two subspecies, Rothschild’s giraffe (G. c. rothschildi) and West African giraffe (G. c. peralta), continue to be listed on the Red List, although the West African giraffe has been downlisted to Vulnerable – a credit to the conservation efforts of the Government of Niger and NGO support, resulting in the population increasing. Your Biggest Questions ABOUT THE WORLD’S TALLEST ANIMAL I Are there different types of giraffe? All giraffe are currently considered the same species, Giraffa camelopardalis, according to the IUCN. Interestingly, they were named by the Romans who believed they were part camel and part leopard. Within the one species it was assumed there are nine different subspecies of giraffe varying in colour, pattern and distribution. However, recent research by GCF and partners suggests that there are four distinct species of giraffe and five subspecies. At present, the IUCN Red List still bases its assessment on the traditional view of giraffe taxonomy although this may change in the near future. How many different types of giraffe have you seen? I How many giraffe are left in the wild? Tragically, the GCF estimates that we’ve lost more than a third of the wild population of giraffe in the last 30 years and their numbers continue to plummet. There are fewer than 100,000 giraffe left in Africa – that’s one giraffe for every four African elephants. Delving deeper, each subspecies faces its own unique perils. While the South African giraffe is the most populous with 39,000 individuals, the West African giraffe is the rarest giraffe in the world with only 450 left in wild, and there are none in captivity. Dangerously close to extinction, five of the nine subspecies have fewer than 2,000 individuals. I Why are giraffe in crisis? As giraffe numbers plummet, the remaining individuals are increasingly isolated due to the destruction and fragmentation of their habitat. New crop fields, towns, roads and power lines make it difficult for giraffe to roam freely and intermingle, which jeopardises the genetic health of the population. Like many wild animals, close contact with domestic livestock can also transmit diseases. Sadly, they are also threatened by a surge in poaching to fuel trade in giraffe meat, bones, skins, bone marrow and even brains. Surprisingly, even with its long neck, the giraffe has seven vertebrae in its neck, the same number as humans do! I Who decides if an animal is endangered? While there are many different levels of protection for imperiled species at the state, national and regional levels, the IUCN is generally considered to be the primary authority for species on a global scale. They use the most objective scientific information to systematically evaluate a species’ risk for extinction based on established criteria. Once a ruling is made, the species’ designation and assessment data are logged in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This list is publicly available and helps researchers, conservationists, governments, regulating authorities and donors make informed decisions about how to best conserve biodiversity and prevent extinction. Specifically for giraffe, the IUCN SSC Giraffe & Okapi Specialist Group is responsible for providing the data. I Do giraffe have natural predators? While humans pose the greatest threat to giraffe, lions can easily attack a full grown adult giraffe. Such an event carries high risk for the lion though, as a giraffe’s powerful kick can gravely injure or even kill a lion. Young giraffe are much more vulnerable and can fall prey to lions and leopards, and less commonly to hyena, African wild dogs or crocodiles. Giraffe mothers are extremely protective however and keep a close eye on their little ones. I Why are scientists studying giraffe? Giraffe have captured the human imagination for thousands of years. Yet, for such a beloved species, there is so much we don’t yet know. We don’t know for certain how long giraffe live in the wild, how they communicate or how they’re being impacted by trade and poaching. There may even be additional giraffe populations in parts of Africa that researchers have been unable to access due to civil unrest. There is a wealth of information waiting to be discovered and organizations like GCF are working hard to close the gap, but they cannot do it alone. What would you want to learn about giraffe? I Why save giraffe? Can you imagine an Africa without giraffe? Giraffe help shape the landscape and play a critical role in the ecosystem. While some farmers believe giraffe compete with their livestock for food, a giraffe’s browsing on trees and shrubs can actually stimulate plant growth. Acacia leaves and shoots are one of the giraffe’s favorite meals. As the giraffe digests its food, Acacia seeds are spread to new habitat, spurring the growth of new trees. Giraffe are also thought to play a role in pollination, just like birds and bees. I Why do giraffe have spots? Every giraffe has a unique coat pattern that identifies it, just like a human finger print. Their patches serve primarily as camouflage, but they also help the giraffe stay cool under the hot African sun. Underneath their coat, giraffe have large blood vessels surrounding the patches, branching off into smaller vessels underneath the patch. Giraffe can send blood into the smaller vessels to release body heat. In effect, each patch on the giraffe’s skin acts as a thermal window to help them regulate and cool their body temperature. I How can I help giraffe? The best thing you can do for giraffe is to help the GCF and others sound the alarm about the giraffe’s silent extinction, and in turn support their activities. Lend giraffe your voice and speak out about preventing the extinction of this beautiful animal. Every action you take makes a difference. • As a member of the media: • Help spread the word about the plight of giraffe • Promote giraffe